The home of the Columbus Clippers — called everything from The Coop to Jets Stadium
since 1931 — might become a small Thunder Valley.

“All the stars have to align,” one county official noted.

Franklin County's deal to sell its old ballpark to Arshot Investment Corp. for $3.3
million could take 17 months to close and hinges on contractual “ifs” that could kill the deal.
Among the contingencies: Arshot wants a 100 percent tax abatement for 10 years from Columbus.

But both seller and prospective buyer envision a motorsports complex with nice
restaurants and a speedway, drag strip and go-kart track that would lure hot-rod races, car clubs
and rallies.

They liken the proposed half-mile track to a scaled-down version of the Bristol
Motor Speedway in Tennessee, a NASCAR-Sprint Cup track nicknamed Thunder Valley. Race-car speeds at
these half-mile-around tracks can reach 125 mph. Drag racers go even faster on their quarter-mile
strip.

The noise, crowds and cash that the raceway could bring Franklinton are raising
both excitement and caution.

“I'm concerned about the noise level and visual impact,” said Linda J. Burkey,
general manager of Green Lawn Cemetery. Families hold graveside services just south of the
stadium.

But the racetrack could be an economic engine.

“If anything, it will really help the economy in this area,” said Jesse Wells,
co-owner of R&J Tire Service, 1058 Mound St. He welcomes a new neighbor that would draw car
enthusiasts.

The track might require sound-deadening walls, county officials say. But that will
be worked out, they say, along with other details. An earlier proposal to turn Cooper Stadium into
a motorcycle course and dealership collapsed last year.

Commissioners are getting a contract this time. They expect to sign a purchase
agreement Tuesday with King Holding Corp., a division of Arshot. Closing could take as long as 17
months. The developer is putting down $50,000 but could back out if the site is swampy or if
financing or a tax break falls through.

“It's a puzzle,” Commissioner Marilyn Brown said, explaining that the racetrack
would be part of the larger Downtown redevelopment. But she said she was excited about the proposal
because it fits the county's goals.

The county, which owns the Clippers and Cooper Stadium, had promised not to leave
Franklinton with a vacant neighbor. The Clippers are to move to a modern, $55 million ballpark in
the Arena District next spring.

The sale of Cooper Stadium will bring money that the county needs to build its new
stadium and bring jobs to the community, Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy said.

The county favored a buyer who would respect the historical, Depression-era
stadium. Other suitors included developers who proposed warehouses or a flea market on the 46-acre
site.

William J. Schottenstein of Arshot said he intends to keep part of the original
stadium for stands and add new food and hospitality areas.

“There are a number of extremely successful half-mile tracks,” Schottenstein said. “
But it's not going to be a Talladega or Pocono.”

He said they won't compete with Columbus Motor Speedway, a NASCAR-sanctioned track.
Jeff Nuckles, son of Speedway owner Jim Nuckles, said they were assured that no public money would
be given to any competitor of theirs.

“Competition improves the breed,” Jeff Nuckles said. “If this comes to fruition, I
wish them the best.”

Jim Hunter, director of communications for NASCAR, said the stock car association
would continue to support Columbus Motor Speedway.

“I would certainly hope the people who build this place know what they're getting
into,” Hunter said. “The short-track racing world is a tough, tough business.”

County and city experts said Schottenstein can pull off the project.

“All the stars have to align,” said James Schimmer, director of economic
development and planning for the county. “But we have a really dynamic possibility with a lot of
growth potential.”

Boyce Safford III, Columbus' development director, said Schottenstein “knows his
way around, and he wouldn't propose this without understanding the risk and return.”

Safford said no tax abatement has been promised, and he will study noise and
traffic before supporting any rezoning.

“We have to roll up our sleeves, and kick the tires,” Safford said. “But the pieces
work well, and it can be highly successful and bring some excitement to that part of Columbus.”

City Councilwoman Maryellen O'Shaughnessy said she's excited about the proposal but
plans to set up neighborhood meetings to discuss the idea.

“It's a blessing and a curse: These urban areas bring uses that sometimes
contradict each other,” O'Shaughnessy said. “You can't just plop something into a neighborhood
without having full discussions.”

Judy Basham, executive director of the Franklinton Board of Trade, said the
announcement was a surprise.

“I can't wait to hear the details so I can make a better judgment,” Basham said. “
In the long run, we didn't want it to sit empty.”

Basham noted that the previous suitor for the Cooper site, A.D. Farrow, had planned
to put up trees to buffer the noise from motorcycles.

Kyle Willets, public-relations director for Kil-Kare Speedway in Xenia, said its
owners, too, had to respond to neighbors' concerns about noise.

But, “a track that size would generate a lot of tax dollars for the local
government,” he said.

Jerry Dennis, a race-car owner who lives on the Hilltop, said the project would
cause “a lot of noise,” but he figures it might be a good tradeoff.